The purpose of the EKTAN is to provide intellectual food for thought on business strategy, technology, and current events, primarily in the wireless area. I am also available for more in depth consulting assignment in the telecom space. I'm currently consulting on projects and subjects that include: iDEN and CDMA technology, Nextel International, Sprint Nextel (without revealing any non-public or proprietary information), Alcatel-Lucent, and Motorola, and wireless industry dynamics, metrics and trends.

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NY Mets Facts or Trivia

George Herbert Walker, Jr., an uncle of President George W. Bush, was vice president and treasurer of the Mets from their founding through 1977.
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Answer to question below: Sid Fernandez.
What 16-game winner was relegated to bullpen duty by Manager Davey Johnson during the 1986 World Series?

Any increased wireless infrastructure sales will be incremental in terms of technology evolution on existing networks or coverage. The demand for additional capacity on existing sites, including data, will depend on the how aggressive the carriers choose to promote innovative apps and associated pricing plans. The carriers have not proven adept in promoting novel apps to date, notwithstanding the greater percentage of ARPU that are comes from data. The open network movement embodied by Android, the Verizon initiative and others, is still a couple years from fruition. Video services and streaming will in part be supported separately by the likes of Qualcomm's MediaFlo and the whatever is rolled out on Dish Network's E band winnings. In addition, we should consider that the video streaming to mobile devices may not be the bandwidth hog as it is for landline, due to the smaller screens, until networks get to the point where many users are streaming.

As a result, it's reasonable to expect consolidation among vendors, especially, as has been suggested by other venerable analysts, pressure on a Nortel - Motorola marriage. Another possibility might be an Alcatel Lucent hookup with Motorola, but not only for the obvious reasons of the Lucent-side hooking up with Motorola. Many (perhaps too many) ears ago, Motorola was a base station partner with Alcatel on the switch side. Other possible acquisitors could be aspiring foreign vendors seeking entry into the U.S., such as Huawei, ZTE or an Indian player.

SummaryVerizon was the most successful in the 700 MHz auctions by utilizing a
multi-pronged strategy to secure a superior spectrum position for the
foreseeable future and positioning themselves to be in a position to
control their own destiny regarding the industry trend towards open
networks.

Analysis

While AT&T completed its objectives in the recently concluded 700
MHz auctions in filling out its spectrum holes, Verizon deserves kudos
for the shrewdest, most comprehensive and successful auction strategy.

1. C Block Wins: Recognizing that they lost the political battle for the open access provision for the C block to Google, Verizon won the entire C block that covered land in the continental U.S. for nationwide coverage, so that it controls how quickly it and and the wireless industry will evolve to open networks. Verizon can slow roll or fast roll, depending on whatever strategy they choose, their financial means, or competitive threats. Either way, to use a poker analogy, they have the high hand around the table, it's their bet and their fate is in their own hands regarding open access.

2. A and B block wins: For capacity augmentation for the following highest density cities / regions: Chicago, Los Angeles, Florida, Texas, and the DC through Connecticut corridor.

3. Make the Competition Pay: Lastly, as noted at Wireless Strategy, "One last tidbit: It was interesting to find that a whopping 73% of
AT&T's winning bids in the B block were placed in Rounds 26 and 27.
This is significant because Verizon placed their last bids on A and B
licenses in Round 26 in order to start their acquisition of the C block
in Round 27, so it's quite clear that Verizon's strategy was a
significant contributor to the high cost of AT&T's winnings." Indeed, per this RCR Article, "The average price per megahertz/potential
customer covered for the entire C Block was $0.76 [which Verizon dominated]. The B Block’s
average price per MHz/pop was $2.68, according to Optimal Markets Inc.
According to Verizon Wireless, the carrier paid $1.03 per MHz/pop,
compared with the auction average of $1.20."